Header clearance with 2” dropped spindles?

Discussion in 'Pro-Touring' started by fishwater, Jun 1, 2020.

  1. fishwater

    fishwater Well-Known Member

    I’ve been trying to decide between using lowered springs or dropped spindles but with headers I’m worried about ground clearance? Is anyone running 2” dropped spindles with long tube headers in a SBB. The car is my 1971 that I just installed 18’s all around on. I’m going to do a front disc conversion & trying to decide between dropped spindles or possible C5 tall spindles.

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  2. black70buick

    black70buick Well-Known Member

    Watching and wondering. Want to the exact same to my 71 convertible.
     
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  3. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    I would think you would have problems if you lowered it 2 inches. How far close are your headers to the ground now, at the lowest point? Also, have you checked to ensure your front tires will not have rubbing issues in the fenderwells when turning once lowered?

    I have 2 inch drop coils in my 69 and I run shorty headers. I still scrape the underneath / exhaust of my car occasionally on big speed bumps, and long tube headers would hang lower than my current lowest point under my car.
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2020
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  4. breakinbuick11

    breakinbuick11 Platinum Level Contributor

    I pulled my Mickey Thompson’s SS headers off with a 2 inch drop spindle and coil overs jacked all the way up. I’ll see if I can dig up a picture.
     
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  5. BuickRacer69

    BuickRacer69 1320, Mark of the Beast

    I have 2 69s, One was a SBB, now an LSX and one is BBB. Both cars are 2-3inches lowered in the front. When my car was a 350 car ( with long tube headers) I cut a coil out of a set of new front springs to lower it, with the LSX I have 2 coils cut off a set of 6 cylinder front springs and its fine. The BBB car (also has long tubes) is about an inch higher than the LSX car. Both see plenty of street miles and are fine. You won't be able to off road the thing and will have to be mindful of speed bumps and things. It is like driving an F Body around, it can bottom out, but if you are paying attention it won't be a problem at all.

    Also they look pretty good in the weeds!
     
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  6. BuickRacer69

    BuickRacer69 1320, Mark of the Beast

    This is how my car (LSX with Long Tubes) curry sits. It's a real deal street car, it's obviously more likely to bottom out, but it has not been an issue at all for me. It's part of having a performance car, it's just over all more of a PITA
     

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  7. breakinbuick11

    breakinbuick11 Platinum Level Contributor

    What other suspension mods will you be doing in addition to the drop spindles? Relocating the mounting point of the hub alone might not drop the car a full 2”

    Here’s the best picture I can find.. It was way too close to the ground for my comfort. As you can see by the goofy stance, I had the car jacked all the way up in the front just to move it in and out of my garage without the headers scraping. It now sits at a much more even rake with manifolds and down pipes. This is a big block car, so maybe you will have better luck with a 350 and a conventional spring.
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